Virgin Pomegranate and Cranberry Bellinis

Shelby Jo's Note:

This is from Everyday Italian with Giada De Laurentiis. These sound great! I can't wait to try them. The prep time is assuming that the simple syrup is premade.

• Total Time: 5 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 1 cup ice
• 1 ½ cups simple syrup , recipe follows
• 1 ¼ cups unsweetened pomegranate juice , chilled
• 1 cup unsweetened cranberry juice , chilled
• 1 (25 1⁄3; fluid ounce) bottle sparkling water , chilled
• 2 limes , thinly sliced
• 1 bunch fresh mint , for garnish

Optional garnish

• ½ cup pomegranate seeds (optional)

Directions:

1. Special equipment:.
2. 6 to 8 cup capacity punch bowl.
3. Place the ice in a punch bowl. Add the simple syrup, pomegranate juice, and cranberry juice. Stir well. Slowly pour in the sparkling water. Garnish with lime slices, mint sprigs and pomegranate seeds, if using, and serve.
4. Serving Suggestion: As an alternative to serving from a punch bowl, make the bellini mixture in a 6 to 8 cup capacity pitcher. Divide the pomegranate seeds between 12 champagne flutes. Add 1 slice of lime and 1 sprig of mint to each glass. Pour the bellini mixture into the prepared glasses and serve.
5. Simple syrup:
6. 1 cup water
7. 1 cup sugar
8. In a saucepan, combine water and sugar over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Take the pan off the heat and allow the syrup to cool.

Reviews

[breezermom]

Very good! I did splash a little vodka into it, and that seemed to make everyone enjoy the punch and go back for more!!! Thanks for sharing.

[Maito]

This was good. I think adding some Amaretto or something to it would make it better.

[Lainey6605]

I halved this recipe and we enjoyed it very much. It had just the right amounts for our tastes. Thanks for sharing!